By Chigboja Gideon
Equitable access to endpoints of political dividends majors in the terrain of who gets what, when and how. Man by nature craves for domesticated power control either from within or without, with the sole aim of being referred to as the most powerful trigger-button for all decisions meant to affect the lives of the people.
This undying quest submerges non-clusterable forces into what can be simply referred to as electrifying political war, with its attendant effect of noisy silence.
The scenario exemplifies world power tussle nature. The black race is not left out. African Countries in a bid to attain self rule engaged either fierce or subtle battles with colonial bourgeoisies who enjoyed enslaving the black man because he was seen as being juvenile like a chick when matters of self-governance are considered. Meanwhile, the enslavers enjoyed ripping off chicken provencale out of the black continent.
Note worthy here are some of African countries that gained independence by war. They are: Algeria, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mozambique and Namibia.
The aforementioned flagged down external leadership force by sounds of war and this represents what a desire for control and maintenance of one’s territorial sovereignty and integrity can fetch. Unlike the preheat felt by some Countries to gain independence, Nigerian engaged in nonviolent movements for self rule.
Past attainment of the initial focus was the springing up of violent military activities in most African countries as expected. A picture that explains internal conflict of interests for many groups, tribes, cabals, regions and geopolitical zones.
Nigeria’s most talked about was the attempted secession of the provinces of south east of Nigeria, also known as Biafra Republic declaration War from (July 6th 1967 through Jan 13th, 1970). The effect of the crisis still has prevailing scars till date.
Well, I do not intend boring you with stories but the question is, can any man quench his thirst for power at every slight privilege? The answer is NO.
For Nigeria, in 2015 and 2019, the presidential elections held by the Independent National Electoral Commission were referred to as non-representative of public choice by foreign observers, but declaration of results were made hitch-free, imposing leaders on the nation. This is in similitude with military encroachment against people’s will by power grab.
Kaitlyn Schiess opined, “a thirst for political power — and sometimes, obtaining the power begets more than corruption: It often involves degraded moral judgment and financial malpractices. Power never affects just one area of people’s lives; it leads them to believe they can determine right and wrong for themselves. And it never affects just those individuals.”
The point made in simple terms is, power makes big-wigs believe in their psycho-judgements of everything that concerns themselves. If it kicks against the common man’s right, no problem.
The current trend in the nation is self-coronation of some individuals in power who see themselves as emperors, mayors, (state presidents) and governors like the Europe, in an attempt to underdevelope Africa. These strangers rule by decrees as of the old. Like king Herod placed a demand for the head of John the Baptist, to point out truth to these men remains a criminal offense that may end their victims in jails.
The trigger-button for every wrong rests in their abode, citizens-centered leadership is none of their business, let my people die while I pack the dollars is their language. They mobilize resources to assume the office of a landlord, godfather and all in like colonial masters as though they have got a second life. They wield powers through available forces to intimidate and shut voices of truth. This is an error.
In sane climes, good leadership is the life-changing weapon in the hands of every sincere soul within the corridors of power. It is like the rod of Moses. It creates good health, wealth, helps to find pathways through difficult times for the people. It is like the horn of unicorn.
Elections in states, with stories, synonymous to the foretold must not be treated with hands in gloves. More so that the an incumbent in Nigerian politics would go extra miles to grab and keep powers in his domain. All relevant forces must be deployed towards ensuring free, fare and credible contests. This is to enthrone the genre of leadership, captured in books of humanity.